Whom Do Teachers Turn to Within Their Leadership Team for Feedback? A Social Network Analysis

• In Event: The Development of Teachers: Support From Preservice Through In-Service

Abstract

Teachers’ feedback seeking is considered as important for their professional learning. This study aims to investigate which school leaders are sought out for feedback by teachers and what leadership characteristics might influence this choice in 14 secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium by using social network analysis. Results indicate that the frequency of teachers’ feedback seeking is rather low. However, teachers turn the most towards their principals for feedback. Multilevel regression analyses show that supportive leadership seems to be the most influential for this choice. Instructional leadership is only influential for the feedback seeking from principals, while supportive leadership shows to be important for all three leadership categories (principal, assistant principals and teacher leaders).

Authors

• Melissa Andrea Tuytens, Ghent University

• Nienke M. Moolenaar, Utrecht University

• Alan J. Daly, University of California - San Diego

• Geert Devos, Ghent University